8/10

Ever since she first emerged, Lucy Rose has always looked to occupy a more adventurous space than many of her contemporaries. Originally arriving with a traditional folk-pop identity, her sound and style has been gradually morphing over the years, turning into this brilliantly broad and immersive endeavour that always seeks something new for every release. And with a five-year break since her 2019 LP 'No Words Left' to raise her firstborn son, she now returns with her eagerly-awaited fifth studio album 'This Ain't The Way You Go Out', a record that broadens those inventive ideals once again.

Diagnosed with a rare form of pregnancy-related osteoporosis in 2021, much of this new release was written in the wake of her experiences during that time. The title 'This Ain't The Way You Go Out' harks back to the dark thoughts she was going through, and ultimately became the inspiration behind her recent collection. Becoming a mother for the first time and dealing with intense pain created this duality within her direction for this full-length, wanting to make something filled with joy and hope, but always under a cloud of fragility that makes her return so beautifully alluring from start to finish.

Lucy Rose's legacy has always been filled with captivating songwriting, and 'This Ain't The Way You Go Out' maintains that progressive nature throughout. Mixing rich and dynamic production with some beautifully sombre moments, she returns to the scene with one of her most impactful releases yet.